Morenci's voting machines to be tested 10.24

The public accuracy test—open to the public—is scheduled at 10 a.m. Oct. 31 at city hall.

The city received a packet of blank ballots to run through the voting machine to make sure the computer is clear. City workers, along with two election inspectors, will also mark ballots randomly to test the machine’s accuracy.

Write-in ballots are automatically separated from the other ballots for hand tabulation.

Anyone wishing to run as a write-in candidate has until 4 p.m. Nov. 2 to register at city hall. If a “write-in candidate declaration of intent” form is not submitted, the votes will not count.

City hall will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Nov. 3 for residents seeking to obtain an absentee ballot.

Morenci’s ballot in the Nov. 6 general election will include only local races.

Doug Erskin is challenging Russ Sutherland for mayor. Three council members will also be chosen. Incumbents Dick Hewitt and Leasa Slocum will be joined on the ballot by Wes Clark, Art Erbskorn, Jeff Lantz and Carl VanDeWalker, Jr.

PHOTO ID—Voting in Michigan will require an extra step starting next month in the Nov. 6 general election.

In order to cast a vote, photo identification will be requested by election workers. If the voter is in possession of only non-photo ID, an affidavit must be signed attesting that the person is not in possession of picture identification.

Without a photo ID or a signature on an affidavit, voting will not be allowed.

The affidavits will be filed at city hall, said clerk/administrator Renée Schroeder, and will not be checked unless someone makes a request.

Photo ID is now required in all states, however, only first-time voters are required to show a photo in Kansas and Pennsylvania.